World Cup players Ali Riley, Malia Steinmetz and CJ Bott will return to the Football Ferns as part of the 24-player squad selected for April’s two-game series against Thailand in Christchurch.
Head coach Jitka Klimková has combined the experience of 16 players who featured in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and eight players under 23.
Riley and Bott did not play for the Ferns at February’s OFC Women’s Olympic qualifier tournament.
Defender Meikayla Moore, who missed selection for last year’s World Cup squad, also earns a recall to the national squad.
Missing from the squad are Annalie Longo, who has been sidelined by injury at her Wellington Phoenix club, and midfielder Betsy Hassett who is pregnant.
Other players who were selected for the Olympic qualifiers squad but are not included for the Thailand series are Liz Anton, Ava Collins, Grace Neille
The Ferns, currently rated 28th in the current FIFA rankings, will meet Thailand (#47) at the Apollo Projects Stadium, Ōtautahi Christchurch, on April 6 and 9, 2024.
New Zealand squad
Mackenzie Barry (14 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
CJ Bott (42 caps) Leicester City, England
Katie Bowen (105 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Claudia Bunge (28 caps) HB Koge, Denmark
Daisy Cleverley (36 caps) HB Koge, Denmark
Brianna Edwards (1 cap) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Victoria Esson (22 caps) Rangers FC, Scotland
Michaela Foster (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Macey Fraser (3 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ally Green (11 caps) AGF, Denmark
Jacqui Hand (23 caps) Lewes FC, England
Grace Jale (27 caps) Perth Glory, Australia
Katie Kitching (6 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Anna Leat (15 caps) Aston Villa FC, England
Meikayla Moore (63 caps) Glasgow City FC, Scotland
Ruby Nathan (5 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Gabi Rennie (33 caps) Aland United, Finland
Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City FC, USA
Indiah-Paige Riley (21 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Paige Satchell (48 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Malia Steinmetz (27 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Rebekah Stott (100 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Kate Taylor (15 caps) Wellington Phoenix FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Hannah Wilkinson (122 caps) Melbourne City FC, Australia
Ford Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková said:
“It is exciting to name this side for our first games at home since the FIFA Women’s World Cup and come back to Christchurch, a city that is home for a significant number of our players.
“As we build towards the Paris 2024 Olympics, we want to establish a side that combines our experienced players with emerging younger talent to put us in the best place ahead of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
“I believe with this squad we have found that right balance so look forward to assembling in Christchurch for the games against Thailand.”
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday April 6, 2024
New Zealand v Thailand
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 3pm
Game to be played on Tuesday April 9, 2024
New Zealand v Thailand
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 7pm
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